Automobile direction signals



Oct. 31, 1944. I JACOB] 2,361,630

AUTOMOBILE DIRECTION S IGNALS Original Filed Feb. 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l Edward N, M55052 O 31, 1944, E. JACOB! 2,361, 30

' AUTOMOBILE DIRECTION SIGNALS Original Filed Feb. 20; 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Edward 131'. Jdzmbz Patented Oct. 31 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMOBILE DIRECTION SIGNALS Edward N. Jacobi, Milwaukee, Wis, 'assignor to Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Original application February 20, 1939, Serial No. 257.436. Divided and this application April 24, 1941, Serial No. 390,155

6 Claims. (01. 177-339) This invention relates to automobile right and "lef turn direction signals, and is a division objects of this invention is to provide a novel and improved switch construction so designed that the switch will be closed without conscious effort on the part of the driver and without distracting his attention in any way.

Another object is to enable the operator of a vehicle equippedwith this invention to signal a turn in advance of the actual change in direction of the vehicle merely by changing his grip on the steering wheel preparatory to turning.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide independent switches in the rim of an automobile steering wheel which are closed by grip-like actuators having portions thereof projecting slightly beyond the surface of the rim at points not usually gripped by the driver during normal forward travel of the automobile.

Another object of this invention is to provide a signal device for automobiles to designate "right and left turns, which incorporates means for cancelling both signals in the event the driver unintentionally closes both of the controlling switches.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds'this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the complete signal system;

Figure 2 is a view of the underside'of a portion of the steering wheel, with part of one of the switch actuators broken away; and

visually indicate Figure 3 is a sectional view through one of the switches taken on the Figure 2.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 designates a "right and "left turn signal of plane of the line 3-4 in V the-type adapted to be mounted on the rear of an automobile. The signal is rendered operative by the illumination of either of two electric lamps l and l, the former being lighted to designate a left turn. and the latter being lighted to designate a right turn. While the signal has been illustrated as a singl unit embodying both lamps-8 and 1, it is to be understood that separate units for each lamp maybe employed. In this latter instance-the separate units could readily be mounted one at each side of the rear of the vehicle. It is also to be appreciated that various other tvpes of electrically operated signals other than lamps could be usedto equal advantage.

The lamps 8 and 1 are connected with the bat tery 8 of the automobile through circuits 9 and I0 upon closure of separate "left and right sw tches II and II respectively, mounted on the rim of the steering wheel 13.

The two circuits 9 and I0 comprise conductors l4 and 15, each connected with one 'side of the filament of the lamps 8 and 1, respectively, the opposite sides of the filaments of the lamps being grounded by conductors I6. I

The two conductors I4 and I5 and the switches connect the lamps with the battery 8 upon actuation of either switch through a common return lead I! in which a thermo-electric ballast resistor I8 is connected.

This ballast resistor is wound with iron wire and has such electrical characteristics that the current fiowingin one of the circuits to light one of the signal lamps does not materially alter its resistance so that when only one circuit'is closed a by actuation of its respective switch, the resistor has no effect.

However, the increased current flowing through the resistor in consequence to simultaneous closure of both switches quickly increases its resstance to the point where the current flowing in both circuits is limited to an extent preventing the simultaneous lighting of the signal lamps I and '1. Hence, the ballast resistor functions to cancel both signals in the event the driver should unintentionally close both switches II and I 2.

The specific construction of the switches forms the subject matter of the aforementioned co- 2 pending application, Serial No. 257,436, filed February 20, 1939, and will be only briefly referred to herein.

The most important feature of these switches is that they make the control of the signal more practical by enabling the driver to render the proper signal operative without conscious effort and as a mere incident to normal driving practice.

This follows from the fact that the switches are mounted on the rim of the steering wheel which for this purpose is provided with a pair of cavities l9, one on each side of the normally vertical or downwardly extending spoke 20 of the .teering wheel. Thus, it will be noted that the switches which are received in these cavities so as to be embedded in the rim are held circumferentially spaced on the steering wheel rim at points usually grasped by the operator or the vehicle in negotiating turns.

The switches are so constructed that each open ates when grasped by the operator immediately prior to making a turn to complete a circuit to one of the turn signal lamps at the rear of the vehicle to thereby indicate the direction of the turn.

Each switch, as described in detail in the aforementioned copending application, consists of one or more, and preferably two, stationary contacts 2| and a movable contactor 22. The stationary contacts 2| are held in the bottoms of the cavities 19 but are insulated from the metal core of the rim which forms the bottom of the cavity by insulation 23.

These stationary contacts are held in place by the conductor wires 2 and 25 by which the stationary contacts and the movable contactor, respectively, are connected with the controlling circuits 9 and l0. 7

The conductor 24 is connected with the movable contactor 22 of each switch and is therefore common to both of the switches, and also connects with the common return lead il in a manner hereinafter described.

A separate conductor 25, however, is provided for each switch. These conductors are electrically joined to the stationary contactors 2| of each of the switches, and connect with the conductors H and I! of the circuits 9 and HI leading to the filament of the left and right" lamps, respectively, in a manner now about to be described.

The conductors 25 and 25 are connected with the circuit conductors l4 and i and with the common lead I! in any suitable manner, but in the present instance collector rings 28, 21 and 28 mounted in an insulatedhub 28 are provided.

The .hub 29 is secured to the metal hub II of the wheel proper to which the inner ends of the spokes are joined.

The construction of the collector rings is fully described in the aforementioned copending appilication and forms no part of the present inven- It is suflicientto state that the inner ring has the conductor 2! of the "left" switch ll connected therewith, and also the conductor M of the circuit 9; the outer ring 2! has the conductor of the right" switch It connected therewith and the conductor II of the circuit II, and the center ring 21 has the common conductor 24 connected therewith and also the return lead II which leads to the battery,

Each of the switches l I and I! is provided with an actuator 3| overlying the movable contactor 22 and depressible into the cavity in the rim when gripped by the operator of the vehicle in negotiating turns to engage the movable contactor of the switch thus gripped with the stationary conmally vertical spoke at the bottom of the wheel,

the operator need not exert any conscious effort to indicate a turn, as the actuators are located at points where the wheel is usually gripp d by the operator in negotiating a turn. Likewise, the individual switches are useful in signalling turns in advance of the actual change in direction of the vehicle.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent that this invention provides a novel and highly practical direction signal system for automobiles and that the manner in which the control switches are mounted makes the control of the signal more or less automatic by eliminating the necessity for conscious effort on the part of the driver.

In addition, the location of the control switches insures the proper signal being given in advance of the actual change in direction of the vehicle. It is also to be appreciated that the thermo-electric' ballast resistor effectively prevents simultaneous illumination of the signal lamps in the event the steering wheel switches are accidentally depressed 'at the same time by cancelling both switch signals.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an automotive vehicle having a source of electric current: electrical right" and left" turn ignals on the vehicle, said signals being rendered operative by connection with the source of electric current; independent manual switches operable sequentially or simultaneously for conmeeting each of said signals with the current source so that both of said signals may be inadvertently simultaneously connected with the current source; and means operable in consequence to such inadvertent connection of both signals with the current source for limiting the strength of the current to the signals to less 7 than twice the strength necessary to energize one signal whereby both signals are erased until one switch is opened.

2. In an automotive vehicle having a source of electric current: electrical right and "left" turn signals; separate electric circuits for connecting the signals with the current source; independent manual "right" and left" switches operable sequentially or simultaneously for controlling the circuits so that both of said signals are subject to being simultaneously connected with the current source by inadvertent simultaneous closure of both switches; and current sensitive means common to both of said circuits for reducing the current available to the signals to stop both signals in the event both switches are simultaneously closed and to restore one signal upon opening of the switch corresponding to the other signal.

3. In an automotive vehicle having a steering wheel and a source of electric current: electric "right" and "left" turn signals; separate circuits for connecting the signals with the current source; independent manual "right" and left" switches operable sequentiallyor concurrently 2,se1,aso

mounted on the steering wheel in the ranges usually grasped by the driver when preparing two signals, and separate switches therefor: a

.source of electric current; a plurality oi electric to execute right and "le!t turns so that actunection of the signals with the current source;

and current sensitive means connected with said circuits and operable bythe increased current resulting from concurrent closure of both switches to reduce the current flow in the circuits to less than the minimum operative current and thereby preclude continued simultaneous operation of both signals in the event both switches are accidentally concurrently actuated.

4. In an automotive vehicle having a steering wheel and a source of electric current: electric "right and left" tum signals; circuits for connecting the signals with the current source; independent manual right" and lett" switches operable sequentially or concurrently mounted on the steering wheel in the ranges usually grasped by the driver when preparing to execute right and leit" turns so that actuation of the proper switch is generally eflected without conscious eiIort, each of said switches being connected in one of the circuits for controlling'the connection of its respective signal with the current source; and a thermoelectric ballast resstor connected with said signal circuits to carry the current of both of said signal circuits and operable in response to the increased current flowing as a result of concurrent closure of both switches to immediately erase both signals in the event-both switches are accidentally concurrently actuated.

5. In a signalling system requiring at least signals; a circuit for each signal for connecting the same withthe curr'ent source; a-manually operable switch spring biased to opensposition in each oi said circuits for closing the sameand rendering the signal therein operative and open the circuit immediately upon removal of the manual operating force; said switches being adapted for separate actuation but by the character of their use being subject to the liability of concurrent closure;.'an d current sensitive means common to said circuits and operable by the increased current through said current sensitive means due to concurrent connection of two signals with the current source to reduce the current available to the signals below the minimum operative value and thus erase the operated signals. I I

6. In an electrical control system having a plurality of circuits containing electrically energizable instrumentalitie's adapted to be energized by a predetermined minimum current and each circuit including a switch forclosing the circuit, characterized by: the provision 01' a current sensitive device common to said circuits so that current to the instrumentalities is under- 

